The
sepulchral monument and portentous sarcophagus of King Frederik
V (1723-1766 - ruled Denmark and Norway 1746-1766) - placed
in King Frederik Vs Chapel. The two woman statues on each
side of the sarcophagus represents Denmark on the left and
Norway on the right - and the King is portrayed as a Roman
Emperor on the high grey tombstone column. King Frederik
V was the founder of noble “Frederiksstad” area
in Copenhagen and the four Amalienborg Palaces where the
equestrian statue of the King is positioned in the octagonal
centre of the Royal Palaces.

Roskilde
Cathedral - Burial place for Danish Royalties
Roskilde Cathedral was built during the 12th and 13th centuries
and incorporates both Gothic and Romanesque
architectural design. The Cathedral was Scandinavia's first
Gothic cathedral to be built of brick - which encouraged
the spread of this style throughout most of Europe.

Timeline
of the Danish Kings & Queens more than 1000 Years: Royal
Sites

Roskilde
Cathedral in 1750

Roskilde
Cathedral in 1750 - seen from north with the old Latin School
on the right. The square in front is the market square -
where peasants sold there crop and goods. The citizens were
use to Royal Burials and processions - as the Cathedral
was the final resting place for Danish Kings and Queens
since 1536.

Bishop
Absalon

Portrait
of Bishop Absalon - the founder and Bishop of Roskilde Cathedral
- hanging on the wall of the Cathedral and surrounded by
the original red bricks from 1170 to 1200. Bishop Absalon
was also the creator of Copenhagen around 1167 - and Bishop
of the Swedish city Lund.

Ancient
history
Several wooden churches has been built by a number
of Danish Kings on the spot where the present cathedral is placed.
The first wooden church was built by King Harald Bluetooth
(The King that made all Danes Christian in 965 A.C.)
- and who is also buried in the present Roskilde Cathedral. The
cornerstones of this splendid twin-spired cathedral was laid by
Bishop Absalon – who was the founder of Copenhagen
- started the building of the present Cathedral in red bricks around
1170. Since then - various porches and chapels
have been added to the main building with different architectural
designs representing the best of Danish architecture for more than
800 years and demonstrating the European religious
architecture too. Three million fired clay bricks
were used to construct Roskilde Cathedral.

A
UNESCO historical landmark

Roskilde
Cathedral is placed high on a rise and is a historical landmark
that can been seen miles away - and nearly every Danes has
used the Cathedral as a Milestone with its two cobber plated
towers and tall spires. In 1995 - the cathedral was included
in UNESCO's list of the world's inalienable cultural treasures.

The
Royal Palace

Roskilde
Cathedral is situated in the medieval part of the city and
is probably one of the first major buildings on the spot.
The yellow buildings around the Cathedral is the former
Royal Palace from 1733-76 - and called Roskilde Palace.
The Palace was used as a stop-over by royal families during
Royal Burials.

Royal
Burial Plot since 1536
Since the 1536 - and after the protestant
reformation - Roskilde Cathedral has been the mausoleum
and burial place for 40 Danish Kings and Queens.
The various ornate sarcophaguses – one more remarkable than
the other – are placed in various burial chapels
- within and outside the cathedral. Various Chapel sections have
been added during centuries to the main building - which has been
extended over many generations.

The final resting place

The
burial procession of King Frederik VI (1768-1839 - King of
Denmark and Norway 1808-1839) in a cold January day in 1840.
His coffin was carried by peasants on their shoulders to the
final resting place at Roskilde Cathedral. King Frederik VI
- eliminated the abolition of serfdom in 1788.

The
funeral procession

The
streets of Roskilde in 1906 - where the citizens attended
the funeral procession of King Christian IX to Roskilde Cathedral.
The King was known as "The father-in-law of Europe"
as his children married into other royal houses - and most
current European monarchs are descended of him.

Royal
Burial Plot since the Protestant Reformation
- 1536

Roskilde
Cathedral

The
Royal TombsThe Royal Tombs are spectacular monuments
and architectural gems from the time of their
period and the portentous sepulchral chapels with the decorated
sarcophaguses and Royal coffins have each there own special
character and quality - which was
created by leading Danish and European architects and the
eminent examples of their building ability and architectural
skill plus Danish craftsmanship.
The Royal Burial plot at Roskilde Cathedral is the only
type of sight in the world - where
so many Royalties are buried in one place. The Royal Chapels
have both monarchs from the Oldenborg and
Glücksborg line of Royalties.

The
Royal Sarcophaguses

The
sarcophagus of Denmark's first Queen Margrethe I (1353 –
1412) - at Roskilde Cathedral - placed behind the High Altar.
She was also Queen of Norway and Sweden - and the founder
of the
Kalmar Union (1397-1523) that united all of the Scandinavian
countries for centuries.

Spectacular
Royal Monuments

The
pompous burial monument of King Frederik II (King of Denmark
and Norway 1559-88) is places in the chapel of the "Holy
Three Kings" and beside his father King Christian III
burial mausoleum. The monument was created by the Dutch sculptor
Geert van Egen from 1594-98.

King
Christian IV's
Chapel

The
chapel of King Christian IV was completed 6 years before
King Christian IV died in 1648. On the wall is a great painting
of the King during the battle of Kolberger Heide in 1644
- between the Danish and Swedish fleet - where he lost his
right eye. His bloody clothes from the battle is exhibited
at Rosenborg Castle. King Christian IV (1577-1648 - ruled
Denmark and Norway 1588-1648) - is best known as the great
builder of Copenhagen. The King died at his beloved Rosenborg
Castle in 1648 - and he is buried in a very modest sarcophagus
with his rapier sword lying on top of it.

The
last Danish Monarch to be crowned

The
sarcophaguses of King Christian VIII and his Queen Caroline
Amalie. King Christian VIII (1786-1848 - King 1839-1848
of Denmark and King of Norway until 1814) was the eldest
son of Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway
and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The King was
the philosopher and reformer of the Danish constitution
that was carried out by his son King Frederik VII in 1849.
King Christian VIII - was the last Danish Monarch to be
anointed and crowned as King in 1839 - at Frederiksborg
Castle - as the coronation ceremony was abolished after
his succession to the throne.

Altar
Piece and interior
The outstanding three-sided altar piece from 1560
- was create in Antwerp and is one of the cathedral’s
precious artefacts and major attraction. The pulpit was donated
by King Christian IV in 1610.
The medieval interior such as the great carved doors – paintings
and frescoes are ancient relics that are well preserved and a part
of the Danish Cultural Heritage as well as the well-preserved historic
Raphaëlis organ dated back to the 15th century.

The
three-sided Altarpiece

The
three-sided altarpiece in Roskilde Cathedral is made in
Antwerp around 1560 and is build as a cabinet describing
the life of Christ. The pulpit was donated by King Christian
IV in 1610.

The
Organ
from 1554

The
organ is from 1554 - and constructed be the famous Dutch organ
builder Herman Raphaëlis Rottensten-Pock and the decorations
on the front is in classical baroque style.

Please
note that Roskilde Cathedral is a parish church and therefore used
for church services and other religious ceremonies. When these are
in progress the Cathedral will be closed for visitors - unless they
want to attend the Christian services and other religious ceremonies.

World
Heritage site

In
1995 Roskilde Cathedral was included in UNESCO's
list of the world's inalienable cultural treasures and select
by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

The
Top Image
The upper top image on this site - is a portrait of King
Harald "Bluetooth" in Roskilde Cathedral
- where the Danish King also has his final resting place.

Roskilde
City

The
"Stænder" market square at Roskilde with the
Cathedral at the back.

Roskilde
City
Roskilde is situated in the middle of Sealand right at the
bottom of Roskilde Fjord and 30
Km from Copenhagen. The old medieval town has more
than 50,000 inhabitants with its popular
market and ancient buildings that creates a charming atmosphere
in perfect harmony with its modern architecture. Roskilde
is the 6th biggest city in Denmark. In
1846 - the first railway connection was
opened between Roskilde and Copenhagen and Roskilde is proud
of having the oldest Station building in Denmark. The main
tourist attractions are the majestic Cathedral
and the Viking Ship Museum that draws many
tourists to one of the oldest cities in Denmark - more than
1000 years old. Roskilde
was once the capital of Denmark and the cultural centre
before Copenhagen became the capital in 1443 -
and a Royal city.

Tour
appetizer and inspiration
This presentation of Roskilde Cathedral - is just an appetizer and
a source of inspiration for touring to a genuine Danish Cultural
Heritage. Roskilde Cathedral is one of the leading attractions and
historical venues in Denmark.